BRAKING BY ELECTRICITY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18518, 15 March 1930, Page 10 (Supplement)

BRAKING BY ELECTRICITY.

A patent has recently been granted in England in connection with brake operation on motor vehicles that is likely to prove of considerable value. It is the invention of two engineers connected with the Birmingham Tramways. Electricity is employed in the new apparatus which is intended as an alternative and additional means of applying the existing brakes, leaving the orthodox hand and foot controls free to be operated in the usual manner. Thus the driver is given the option of power operation or manual operation. The heaviest motor vehicle —it is claimed—may have its full braking power either gradually or instantly applied, with no other physical exertion than the movement of the drivers finger. The device may be used for the operation of the foot brakes or the hand brake, or for both brakes combined, and may be applied j as gradually as may be desired, and released without removing either hand from the steering wheel. Electric current is supplied from the ordinary accumulator or from a special generator. The current is then taken through a series of graduated resistances to an electro-magnetic solenoid supported on the under frame of the car. The core of the solenoid is attached to a lever on a special cross-member, which is mounted in the chassis frame just behind the normal brake cross-shaft. There are other levers on the additional cross-member, w T hich are connected to the levers on the normal crossmember by adjustable rods. Thus, movement of the core of the solenoid is transmitted to the brake levers, and finally to the shoes. The controlling switch is mounted on the steering wheel, and is in the form of a second rim within eas3' reach of the fingers. Operations of the switch cuts out the resistances, one after another, until current passes direct from the battery to the solenoid. Gradual movement of the switch results, therefore, in gradual operation of the brake, while quick movement applies full braking power immediately. Any adjustment of the brakes is possible, so that the foot brake may be applied in advance of the hand brake, or vice versa. An alternative control can be arranged by cutting out the resistances by the movement of the brake pedal, in conjunction with a simple contact switch placed on the steering wheel. So long as the switch is open the brake wall be operated in the ordinary way by

pressure of the foot, but as soon as the switch is closed, the brake immediately becomes power-operated. The current consumption, it is stated, is not excessive. On a popular type of 12 h.p. car to which such brakes have been fitted, all four brakes were fully applied by a little less than 20 amperes from the ordinary 12-volt battery, which is only fractionally more than the total consumption of the lighting equipment. The idea of such apparatus for operating the brakes seems a very good one; in these days of fastmoving vehicles, positive and instantaneous operation of the brakes becomes a matter of vital importance. The ability to apply the full braking power at a moments notice, without effort, is a very desirable feature and one that would be appreciated by all automobile owners or urivers.

AN AMBITIOUS SCHEME. A large highway project is now under construction in Uruguay. It will consist of between 90 and 100 miles of 20ft. concrete pavement, which is to be j paid for from a special budget of api proxlmatieiy £1,500,000, separate from i the routine highway programme. The 1 road will make a speedway from I Montevideo to the river port of Colonia, ! just across from Beunos Aires, Argen- ! tine, where the River La Plata has a width of less than 25 miles. With completion of the road and installation of a fast motor-car ferry, it will be possible to make the trip between the two capitals in a little more than three hours. This will cut five hours from the time required by the night boat and will provide the speedloving Argentines with a fitting introduction to the advantages of motor transport.

James: “Yes, sir, I’ve been out of work for a long time, but I managed to | get a bit of a job last Sunday, and : earned five bob.” Minister: “What, ! James, you broke the Sabbath?” ’ James: “Well, sir, one of us had to be I broke.”